Yarmouth Castle One Of 'Unlucky 13' UK Sites Offering Free Soul Cake To Evening Trick Or Treaters

Yarmouth Castle is one of English Heritage's “unlucky” 13 sites across the country opening its historic doors to trick or treaters this Halloween.

From October 28 (Saturday) until Halloween evening on Tuesday (31), the public can knock on the doors of castles, palaces and abbeys after hours to receive a special Halloween treat.

In the medieval tradition, the charity will be treating those who knock to a Soul Cake - a small, round spiced cake, made to celebrate and commemorate the dead.

Jack-o'-lantern pumpkins, jelly snakes and synthetic cobwebs may be all the rage today, but some Halloween traditions can trace their origins back hundreds of years.

Believed to be a precursor to modern trick or treating, going “souling” was an activity which took place, particularly during the medieval period, around Halloween and All Souls' Day (on 2 November).

People would go from door to door singing and saying prayers for the souls of the treat givers, their friends, and deceased relatives, in exchange for a Soul Cake.

A Soul Cake, also known as a soulmass-cake, was a small round cake (although more like a biscuit), traditionally made using oats and may have been spiced with nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger, as well as raisins or currants.

This Halloween, English Heritage is reviving this historic tradition by re-creating the medieval sweet treat and will be handing out Soul Cakes to trick or treaters (while supplies last!) who knock at 13 of its sites after hours.

Dr Michael Carter, Senior Properties Historian at English Heritage, said:

“I’m sure that many assume Halloween traditions are pure Americanisms, but in fact we know that the tradition of Souls Cakes in the British Isles is very old indeed!

"Even in 1511 it is said, ‘we read in old time good people would on All Halloween Day bake bread and deal it for all Christian souls.

"Today’s trick or treating definitely bears resemblance to that tradition of old, and I hope people will knock on our doors to try them – they’re inspired by history and perfect with a cup of tea!”

Soul Cakes will be available at Yarmouth Castle on 28-29 October, 5-6pm / 30-31 October, 4-5pm.

Simply knock on the historic doors and say ‘Trick or Treat’ to receive your Soul Cake, while they last.

Please note that Trick or Treat sessions do not include entry to the site or coinciding Halloween events. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.